Symptom Management Guidelines: DIARRHEA NCI GRADE AND MANAGEMENT | RESOURCES | CONTRIBUTING FACTORS | APPENDIX Definition Cancer – Related Diarrhea (CRD): An abnormal increase in stool frequency, volume, and liquidity that is different from the usual patterns of bowel elimination; results from cancer or related treatment(s). FOCUSED HEALTH ASSESSMENT PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT Vital Signs Normal As clinically indicated What are your normal bowel habits? Do you have an ostomy? If so, how many times do you normally empty/change the Weight bag? Take current weight and Are you aware of any medications that you are taking that could cause diarrhea? compare to pre – treatment or last recorded weight Onset Calculate Body Mass Index When did diarrhea begin? (BMI) How many bowel movements in the last 24 hours? If ostomy, how many times did you empty/change bag? Hydration Status Skin turgor, capillary refill, Provoking / Palliating mucous membranes What brings on the diarrhea? Assess for: Anything that makes the diarrhea better? Worse? - amount and character of urine Quality - daily intake and output - thirst and dry mouth Describe your last bowel movement - weakness and dizziness Was there any blood or mucous? - most recent lab results Was it loose or watery? Can you estimate the amount, large or small volume? Abdominal Assessment Can you describe the odour? Auscultate abdomen - assess presence and quality of bowel Region / Radiation- N/A sounds Abdominal pain, tenderness, Severity / Other Symptoms distention How bothered are you by this symptom? (on a scale of 0 – 10, with 0 being not at all to 10 being the worst) Stool Examination Have you been experiencing any: Inspect stool for colour - Abdominal cramping (visible blood or mucous), - Diarrhea overnight (nocturnal stools) consistency, volume, and - Incontinence of stool odour - Fever - possible infection - Dry mouth, thirst, dizziness, weakness, dark urine -possible dehydration Skin Integrity - Severe abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting - possible bowel obstruction Perineal or peristomal skin - Skin breakdown around your rectum/colostomy integrity Are you able to keep fluids down? What are you drinking? How much? What is Note any areas of erythema, your dietary intake? Are you urinating normally? edema, exudates, bleeding or skin breakdown Treatment What medications or treatments have you tried? Has this been effective? Mental Status Confusion, alterations in level Understanding / Impact on You of consciousness Is your diarrhea interfering with your normal daily activity (ADLs)? Functional Status Value - What do you believe is causing your diarrhea? Activity level/ECOG or PPS The information contained in these documents is a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at your own risk. Page 1 of 8 DIARRHEA GRADING SCALE NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Version 4.03) GRADE 1 GRADE 2 GRADE 3 GRADE 4 GRADE 5 (Mild) (Moderate) (Severe) (Life - threatening) Increase of <4 stools Increase of 4 - 6 stools Increase of ≥7 stools Life threatening Death per day over per day over baseline; per day over baseline; consequences; urgent baseline; mild moderate increase in incontinence; intervention indicated increase in ostomy ostomy output hospitalization output compared to compared to baseline indicated; severe baseline increase in ostomy output compared to baseline; limiting self- care ADL Special Considerations for Irinotecan Early Onset Diarrhea Occurs during or within 24h of administration Cholinergic response that may be accompanied with other symptoms such as abdominal cramping, diaphoresis watery eyes, salivation, and rhinitis. Manage symptoms with Atropine. Instruct patient to contact healthcare providers (BC Cancer Nurse Telephone Line or Physician on call) to determine whether patient needs to come to cancer agency or go to emergency department for atropine treatment Prophylactic atropine may be indicated for subsequent treatments Late Onset/Delayed Occurs more than 24h after administration Diarrhea Can be prolonged and lead to potentially life–threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance if not proactively managed Must be treated immediately with high dose loperamide Patient Education: - Always keep supply of loperamide at home (available at pharmacy without a prescription) - Take two tablets (4 mg) after 1st loose stool then one tablet (2 mg) every 2h until diarrhea- free for 12h - Overnight may take 4 mg every 4h to allow longer sleep period - Loperamide daily dosage may exceed package recommendations. Reinforce importance of taking higher dosage to stop diarrhea - Contact healthcare providers (BC Cancer Nurse Telephone Line or Physician) if diarrhea does not improve within 24h after starting loperamide or if diarrhea lasts more than 36h (as antibiotics may be prescribed) Special Considerations for Immunotherapy (Checkpoint Inhibitors) Immune-Mediated Can cause severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions including: enterocolitis, Adverse Reactions intestinal perforation, hepatitis, dermatitis, neuropathy, endocrinopathy, and toxicities in other organ systems Permanent discontinuation of treatment is recommended for severe immune-mediated reactions Onset usually occurs during the beginning of treatment, but may occur months after last dose All patients should be given Ipilimumab Alert Card, or an immunotherapy alert card when treatment is started The information contained in these documents is a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at your own risk. Page 2 of 8 *Step-Up Approach to Symptom Management: Interventions Should Be Based On Current Grade Level and Include Lower Level Grade Interventions As Appropriate NORMAL GRADE 1 (First 24 hours of onset) NON – URGENT: Prevention, support, teaching, & follow-up as clinically indicated Patient Care and Assess pattern (number of days diarrhea present), characteristic of stool (amount, color, Assessment consistency) Assessment and management of contributing factors, if irinotecan or immunotherapy-related see Special considerations for patients on Irinotecan or Immunotherapy Collaborate with physician to rule out other causes or concomitant causes of diarrhea and to determine if further investigation warranted Dietary and Lifestyle Encourage: Management - 10-12 cups of clear fluids throughout the day (water, sports drinks, diluted juice, broth) - Soluble fiber (e.g. peeled apples and pears, bananas, potatoes, applesauce, white rice and pasta, oatmeal) - Small, frequent meals Reduce: - Insoluble fibre (skins of fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, nuts and seeds) - Caffeine (tea, coffee, pop, energy drinks) - High sugar beverages (juice, iced tea, pop) - Gas-forming foods (broccoli, carbonated beverages) - High fat dairy Avoid: - Spicy foods - Deep fried, greasy foods - Sorbitol-containing substances (e.g. sugar-free gums and candy) - Alcohol Pharmacological Avoid/discontinue any medications that may cause or exacerbate diarrhea (e.g. bulk laxatives, Management metoclopramide) in collaboration with physician and pharmacist If patient is taking warfarin, in collaboration with physician, consider increasing frequency of INR monitoring Instruct patient to start or continue loperamide according to package directions or as indicated by physician: - Start with 4 mg, followed by 2 mg every 4h or after each unformed stool (Max daily dose: 16 mg, unless directed otherwise by physician) - Continue loperamide until 12h diarrhea-free (or as otherwise advised by physician) - Patients with RT-induced diarrhea may continue loperamide for duration of treatment * Corticosteroids (Refer to protocol specific algorithm if patient is on immunotherapy – e.g. ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab) *See special considerations for patients on Irinotecan or Immunotherapy (e.g. ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab) Skin Care Protect skin integrity and promote self-care Management Cleanse perianal skin with warm water (+/- mild soap) after each stool, pat dry, do not rub Encourage sitz bath as tolerated with tepid water Moisture barrier creams prn Patient Education Record onset and number of loose stools per 24hr Reinforce: - Diarrhea can be effectively managed with prompt intervention The information contained in these documents is a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at your own risk. Page 3 of 8 - Importance of accurately reporting diarrhea - To seek immediate medical attention if: T ≥ 38° C / 100º F Bloody stools Severe cramping, acute abdominal pain (+/- nausea and vomiting) Dizziness, weakness, confusion, excessive thirst, dark urine